Table of Contents

Americans' Changing Lives: Wave I, 1986 (ICPSR 9267)

Principal Investigator(s):
House, James S.

Summary:

This study is part of a larger research program designed to
investigate (1) the ways in which a wide range of activities and social
relationships that people engage in are broadly "productive," (2) how
individuals adapt to acute life events and chronic stresses that
threaten the maintenance of health, effective functioning, and
productive activity, and (3) sociocultural variations in the nature,
meaning, determinants, and consequences of productive activity and
relationships. Focusing especially on differences between black and
white Americans in middle and late life, these data constitute the
first wave in a national longitudinal panel survey covering a wide
range of sociological, psychological, mental, and physical health
items. Among the topics covered are interpersonal relationships
(spouse/partner, children, parents, friends), sources and levels of
satisfaction, social interactions and leisure activities, traumatic
life events (physical assault, serious illness, divorce, death of a
loved one, financial or legal problems), perceptions of retirement,
health behaviors (smoking, alcohol consumption, overweight, rest), and
utilization of health care (doctor visits, hospitalization, nursing
home institutionalization, bed days). Also included are measures of
physical health, psychological well-being, and indices referring to
cognitive functioning. Background information provided for individuals
includes household composition, number of children and grandchildren,
employment status, occupation and work history, income, family
financial situation, religious beliefs and practices, ethnicity, race,
education, sex, and region of residence.

This study is part of a larger research program designed to
investigate (1) the ways in which a wide range of activities and social
relationships that people engage in are broadly "productive," (2) how
individuals adapt to acute life events and chronic stresses that
threaten the maintenance of health, effective functioning, and
productive activity, and (3) sociocultural variations in the nature,
meaning, determinants, and consequences of productive activity and
relationships. Focusing especially on differences between black and
white Americans in middle and late life, these data constitute the
first wave in a national longitudinal panel survey covering a wide
range of sociological, psychological, mental, and physical health
items. Among the topics covered are interpersonal relationships
(spouse/partner, children, parents, friends), sources and levels of
satisfaction, social interactions and leisure activities, traumatic
life events (physical assault, serious illness, divorce, death of a
loved one, financial or legal problems), perceptions of retirement,
health behaviors (smoking, alcohol consumption, overweight, rest), and
utilization of health care (doctor visits, hospitalization, nursing
home institutionalization, bed days). Also included are measures of
physical health, psychological well-being, and indices referring to
cognitive functioning. Background information provided for individuals
includes household composition, number of children and grandchildren,
employment status, occupation and work history, income, family
financial situation, religious beliefs and practices, ethnicity, race,
education, sex, and region of residence.

Access Notes

This data collection has been deaccessioned; it is no longer distributed by ICPSR.

Scope of Study

Universe:
The United States household population aged 25 years and
older, exclusive of Alaska and Hawaii.

Data Type(s):
survey data

Methodology

Sample:
Multistage stratified area probability sample, with
oversampling of blacks and those 60 years of age and over.

Data Source:

personal interviews

Restrictions: In order to preserve respondent confidentiality,
certain identifying variables will be restricted from general
dissemination. Aggregations of this information for statistical
purposes that preserve the confidentiality of individual respondents
can be obtained from ICPSR in accordance with existing servicing
policies.